Can kids and teens help each other use media safely and wisely?

Can kids and teens help each other use media safely and wisely?

April 6, 2010

Q: Much of the discussion on kids’ media use centers, appropriately, on parent involvement. I’m wondering, though, are there ways kids and teens can help each other use media safely and wisely?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician®

Is it OK for my 2 year old to watch YouTube videos?

April 2, 2010

Q: My husband watches YouTube videos with our 2 year old son almost daily, and I am not sure what I think about whether it’s a good habit or not. What do you think?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

Does my 7-year-old grandson play too many computer games with his dad?

January 25, 2010

Q: My 7-year-old grandson comes home from visits with his dad talking non-stop about a computer game marked for ages 10+ that they play together. What would be a good amount of time for him to be allowed to play a game like this, and can it cause him to become addicted?

Kids use media for almost 8 hours a day — Now what?

January 21, 2010

Yesterday the Kaiser Family Foundation released a report detailing just how much media kids are using. Dr. Michael Rich, The MediatricianSM, was interviewed on NBC Nightly News, and the Center on Media and Child Health sent out the following in email to parents today.

Should I worry about junk food ads on kids’ websites?

December 21, 2009

Q: My 7-year-old son uses a lot of kid websites that seem harmless enough, but I keep hearing about junk food ads on the Internet and wonder if they will really affect him?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

Should I encourage my preschooler to use the computer?

December 10, 2009

Q: I know that today’s children need to be fully conversant in computers, but at what age? I don’t want my child to fall behind, but I don’t want to encourage computer use in place of the fleeting joys of childhood.
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician